20 Best Books For Middle Schoolers (2023 Update)

Live large with james patterson's winning follow-up to the #1 new york times bestseller middle school, the worst years of my life.after sixth grade, the very worst year of his life, rafe khatchadorian thinks he has it made in seventh grade. he's been accepted to art school in the big city and imagines a math-and-history-free fun zone. wrong! it's more competitive than rafe ever expected, and to score big in class, he needs to find a way to turn his boring life into the inspiration for a work of art. his method? operation: get a life! anything he's never done before, he's going to do it, from learning to play poker to going to a modern art museum. but when his newest mission uncovers secrets about the family rafe's never known, he has to decide if he's ready to have his world turned upside down.

Now a major motion picture! in his acclaimed and #1 bestselling middle-grade comic debut, children's choice award author of the year james patterson has never been more hilarious–or heartwarming. rafe khatchadorian has enough problems at home without throwing his first year of middle school into the mix. luckily, he's got an ace plan for the best year ever, if only he can pull it off: with his best friend leonardo the silent awarding him points, rafe tries to break every rule in his school's oppressive code of conduct. chewing gum in class–5,000 points! running in the hallway–10,000 points! pulling the fire alarm–50,000 points! but when rafe's game starts to catch up with him, he'll have to decide if winning is all that matters, or if he's finally ready to face the rules, bullies, and truths he's been avoiding. james patterson's debut middle-grade novel addresses some of middle schoolers' biggest issues: bullies, first crushes, and finding out what makes each of us special, all with a hilarious main character and fantastic in-text illustrations that are sure to have young readers begging for more!

In this hilarious guide full of honest, real-life experiences, veteran teacher luke reynolds skillfully and humorously shows kids how to not only survive, but thrive and even enjoy the wild adventure that is middle school.middle grade series like the diary of a wimpy kid and dork diaries bring an authentic voice and vision to fiction about middle schoolers. now, for the first time a nonfiction guide to middle school offers that same funny and relatable voice, while skillfully teaching life lessons to not just help kids find their footing during the tough years between elementary and high school, but to find the joy in their new adventures and challenges. author and teacher luke reynolds uses irreverent humor, genuine affection for middle schoolers, and authenticity that bubbles over as he ties real-life experiences from his own time in middle school to the experiences he has from his many years as a teacher. covering topics like bullying, peer pressure, grades, dealing with difficult parents, and love and romance, this rare book reaches kids at a deeper level during an age when they are often considered too young to appreciate it. readers will learn to find their own voice, begin to explore their genuine identity, and definitely laugh out loud along the way.

Jamie grimm has hit the big time in book four of the #1 bestselling i funny series! jamie grimm has finally accomplished his dream of proving himself the planet's funniest kid comic, and the sky's the limit from there. enter a couple of tv executives with a huge plan for jamie: a new show about jamie and his oddball friends! but when jamie struggles to learn the acting ropes, will it be an early curtain call for the biggest show of the decade?

In the war-ravaged england of 1940, lottie bromley and her best friend kitty mclaughlin are inseparable. theyt read their favorite books, they play imaginary games, and they promise to stick together, no matter what the future may bring. but that future is more uncertain than they could imagine, as lottie's scientist father has unearthed a staggering truth: time travel is real. and when this discovery attracts the attention of cruel forces, throwing the two girls into peril, lottie is faced with an impossible choice between danger and safety, between remaining with her friend or following a portal to another time and place. in a split second, lottie's life changes forever. alone and far from home, unsure of kitty's fate, she know that somehow, no matter what, she must find her way back to her friend. beautifully rendered and utterly absorbing, once was a time is an imaginative and timeless tribute to the unbreakable ties of friendship.

Join rafe as he survives white-water rafting, camp counselors, and rock climbing in this hilarious new york times bestseller from the middle school series.after a rough summer, rafe is heading back to the dreaded hills village middle school, the site of the very worst years of his life. and as if that's not bad enough, he's learned that he's going to be held back a year unless he can prove himself on an outdoor survival excursion-complete with dangerous white-water rafting, dizzying rock climbing, and fanatical counselors. rafe and the rest of the pack of "delinquent" trainees are forced to cooperate as they prepare for the final test: a solo excursion in the deep woods. can rafe come out of the experience in one piece? and if he does, will he go home as the same insecure kid? both heartwarming and hilarious, save rafe! is a story of perseverance and courage as only james patterson could tell it.

From bullies to school dances, rafe and georgia have an opinion about everything in middle school. but who's right? it's up to you.the khatchadorian kids are an opinionated duo, and as readers of the middle school stories know, they don't exactly see eye to eye. but when wild-card rafe and mostly-straight-laced georgia go at it, the only thing more fun than their ranting is getting to join in! their back-and-forth banter on a range of topics-from bullying to cafeteria food to school dress codes-introduces more than 40 writing and drawing prompts and other games, along with room for readers to share their own points of view. includes over 200 illustrations.

Getting ready to start middle school? well, you'll need to know what to expect. get to know every person you'll meet and how they can help (and who to stay away from!)." mahoney authentically captures the universal indignities of middle school, the challenges of self-discovery, and the joy of making true friends." –publishers weekly, starred review dear lou,you've been asking and asking about what middle school is like, but i just thought they were annoying-younger-sister questions. even though i am almost done with my first year, i can still remember when i thought middle school was a mystery, so i'll try to give you a leg up. i know middle school is a lot to figure out. but since i still haven't worked it all out yet, i'm happy to help as much as i can. that's what big sisters are for.love, gusdiscover the ins and outs of middle school in this guide from an older sister to her younger sister. from tackling a new building to meeting new people like the assistant principal, the class pet, the huggers, the renegade, the tomato kid, your old best friend's new best friend, this is a must-read for everyone starting middle school.with wit and warmth, kristin mahoney, author of annie's life in lists, delivers heartwarming, pitch-perfect advice, ideal for anyone nervously approaching middle school.

A true story from raina telgemeier, the #1 new york times bestselling, multiple eisner award-winning author of smile, sisters, drama, and ghosts raina wakes up one night with a terrible upset stomach. her mom has one, too, so it's probably just a bug. raina eventually returns to school, where she's dealing with the usual highs and lows: friends, not-friends, and classmates who think the school year is just one long gross-out session. it soon becomes clear that raina's tummy trouble isn't going away… and it coincides with her worries about food, school, and changing friendships. what's going on? raina telgemeier once again brings us a thoughtful, charming, and funny true story about growing up and gathering the courage to face — and conquer — her fears.

All five books in the #1 new york times best-selling heroes of olympus series in a hardcover boxed set of heroic proportions." readers longing for a return to camp half-blood will get their wish…. …the action scenes come frequently as the three heroic teens fight monstrous enemies in north american locales….. flashes of humor lighten the mood at times, but a tone of urgency and imminent danger seems as integral to this series as the last. with appealing new characters within a familiar framework, this spin-off will satisfy the demand for more." –booklist – follows the percy jackson and the olympians series but also stands on its own – millions of copies sold the world over – five hardcovers in a specially designed slipcase – combines greek and roman mythology – teen demigods travel across the us and to europe as they uncover mysteries and battle monsters and gods – told from the point of view of seven different diverse and relatable characters – fast-paced, action-packed adventures narrated with humor and heart – ideal for middle schoolers but can be enjoyed by older readers, too – here is a gift-worthy set of five hardcovers, from the lost hero to the blood of olympus, for fans of percy jackson or anyone who enjoys funny and exciting quest adventures based on mythology. no rick riordan collection is complete without it!

Official u.s. edition with full color illustrations throughout.new york times bestsellera summer reading pick for president barack obama, bill gates, and mark zuckerberg from a renowned historian comes a groundbreaking narrative of humanity’s creation and evolution—a #1 international bestseller—that explores the ways in which biology and history have defined us and enhanced our understanding of what it means to be “human.” one hundred thousand years ago, at least six different species of humans inhabited earth. yet today there is only one—homo sapiens. what happened to the others? and what may happen to us? most books about the history of humanity pursue either a historical or a biological approach, but dr. yuval noah harari breaks the mold with this highly original book that begins about 70,000 years ago with the appearance of modern cognition. from examining the role evolving humans have played in the global ecosystem to charting the rise of empires, sapiens integrates history and science to reconsider accepted narratives, connect past developments with contemporary concerns, and examine specific events within the context of larger ideas.dr. harari also compels us to look ahead, because over the last few decades humans have begun to bend laws of natural selection that have governed life for the past four billion years. featuring 27 photographs, 6 maps, and 25 illustrations/diagrams, this provocative and insightful work is sure to spark debate and is essential reading for aficionados of jared diamond, james gleick, matt ridley, robert wright, and sharon moalem.

History's most exciting and terrifying events come to life in these ten books in the new york times bestselling i survived series.when disaster strikes, heroes are made.a collectible box set of ten books in the bestselling i survived series from author lauren tarshis! this set includes paperback editions of these books: i survived the sinking of the titanic, 1912i survived the shark attacks of 1916i survived the attacks of september 11, 2001i survived the nazi invasion, 1944i survived the bombing of pearl harbor, 1941i survived the battle of gettysburg, 1863i survived the destruction of pompeii, ad 79i survived hurricane katrina, 2005i survived the san francisco earthquake, 1906i survived the japanese tsunami, 2011with relatable characters and riveting plotlines, the i survived books are perfect for reluctant readers or any young reader who enjoys an action packed, page turning thriller. each book also contains several pages of nonfiction content, encouraging readers to further explore the historical topic.

The definitive box set for divergent fans! this four-book set includes paperbacks of the three books in the #1 new york times bestselling divergent trilogy, plus the companion volume told from the perspective of the immensely popular character tobias, all wrapped up in a dazzling keepsake box. – this set is perfect for established fans who want to own the full divergent library, readers new to the series, or fans of the blockbuster films starring shailene woodley, theo james, and kate winslet. – divergent: one choice can transform you. veronica roth's debut is a gripping dystopian tale of electrifying choices, powerful consequences, unexpected romance, and a deeply flawed "perfect society." includes bonus materials by veronica roth. – insurgent: one choice can destroy you. the second bestseller continues the dystopian thrill ride. as war surges in the factions all around her, tris attempts to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love. includes bonus materials by veronica roth. – allegiant: one choice will define you. the explosive conclusion to the #1 new york times bestselling divergent trilogy reveals the secrets of the dystopian world that has captivated millions of readers. includes bonus materials by veronica roth. – four: a divergent collection: a companion volume to the worldwide bestselling divergent series, told from the perspective of tobias. the four pieces included—"the transfer," "the initiate," "the son," and "the traitor"—plus three additional scenes, give readers a fascinating glimpse into the history and heart of tobias, and set the stage for the epic saga of the divergent trilogy. – and don't miss the fates divide, veronica roth's powerful sequel to the bestselling carve the mark!

A young boy relates his adventures during the year he spends living alone in the catskill mountains including his struggle for survival, his dependence on nature, his animal friends, and his ultimate realization that he needs human companionship.

Things have changed since you were in middle school and your 10 to 14-year-olds need your help to succeed! sharing what they've found by listening to kids when parents aren't around, the authors provide practical tips on navigating difficult issues including physical changes, social issues, self-centeredness, and emotional control. middle school: the inside story helps adults who work with middle-schoolers and parents of middle-schoolers transform teenagers into confident, responsible young people.

Just when school was at its suckiest, things take a turn for the better when a cool, mysterious new girl shows up. not only that, she actually wants to be my friend! but, you guessed it, things aren't that simple. and when hollywood suddenly rolls into hills village, things get very weird very fast. somehow, unbelievably, i, rafe katchadorian, am in the movie business. hooray for hollywood!

Just when school was at its suckiest, things take a turn for the better when a cool, mysterious new girl shows up. not only that, she actually wants to be my friend! but, you guessed it, things aren't that simple. and when hollywood suddenly rolls into hills village, things get very weird very fast. somehow, unbelievably, i, rafe katchadorian, am in the movie business. hooray for hollywood!

Rafe khatchadorian is getting the hollywood treatment in a film version of middle school- the worst years of my life starring griffin gluck, lauren graham, rob riggle and thomas barbusca. rafe khatchadorian has enough problems at home without throwing his first year of middle school into the mix. luckily, he's got an ace plan for the best year ever, if only he can pull it off. with his best friend leonardo the silent awarding him points, rafe tries to break every rule in his school's oppressive code of conduct. chewing gum in class – 5,000 points! running in the hallway – 10,000 points! pulling the fire alarm – 50,000 points! but when rafe's game starts to catch up with him, he'll have to decide if winning is all that matters, or if he's finally ready to face the rules, bullies, and truths he's been avoiding.

The mature-rated boys' love horror webtoon from lezhin that became a global manhwa hit! get this chilling and thrilling tale in a deluxe, full-color paperback in english for the very first time.yoon bum, a scrawny and quiet man, has a crush on one of the most popular and handsome guys in his college: sangwoo. after the two cross paths again, yoon bum’s feelings grow in intensity until they become an obsession–and he breaks into sangwoo’s home. but what he sees inside is not the sangwoo of his fantasies; his dreams of this alluring man abruptly turn into a nightmare.this wildly popular bl horror manhwa webtoon is the grand prize winner of the 2nd lezhin comics world comic contest, and has been published in numerous languages since its 2016 debut, winning critical praise across the globe. now readers can own this full-color, deluxe paperback edition in english for the first time, with a special fold-out insert included in every volume!

“the hidden history of bletchley park has been waiting for a master storyteller like kate quinn to bring it to life. the rose code effortlessly evokes the frantic, nervy, exuberant world of the enigma codebreakers through the eyes of three extraordinary women who work in tireless secrecy to defeat the nazis. quinn’s meticulous research and impeccable characterization shine through this gripping and beautifully executed novel.” beatriz williams, new york times bestselling author of her last flightthe new york times and usa today bestselling author of the huntress and the alice network returns with another heart-stopping world war ii story of three female code breakers at bletchley park and the spy they must root out after the war is over.1940. as england prepares to fight the nazis, three very different women answer the call to mysterious country estate bletchley park, where the best minds in britain train to break german military codes. vivacious debutante osla is the girl who has everything—beauty, wealth, and the dashing prince philip of greece sending her roses—but she burns to prove herself as more than a society girl, and puts her fluent german to use as a translator of decoded enemy secrets. imperious self-made mab, product of east-end london poverty, works the legendary codebreaking machines as she conceals old wounds and looks for a socially advantageous husband. both osla and mab are quick to see the potential in local village spinster beth, whose shyness conceals a brilliant facility with puzzles, and soon beth spreads her wings as one of the park’s few female cryptanalysts. but war, loss, and the impossible pressure of secrecy will tear the three apart.1947. as the royal wedding of princess elizabeth and prince philip whips post-war britain into a fever, three friends-turned-enemies are reunited by a mysterious encrypted letter–the key to which lies buried in the long-ago betrayal that destroyed their friendship and left one of them confined to an asylum. a mysterious traitor has emerged from the shadows of their bletchley park past, and now osla, mab, and beth must resurrect their old alliance and crack one last code together. but each petal they remove from the rose code brings danger–and their true enemy–closer…